U.S.–Swedish think tank: To balance Russia, Azerbaijan needs strong ties with Washington

Published: 2025-11-07 10:01

"To balance Russia, Azerbaijan needs not only Turkey, its traditional ally, and stable relations with Iran, but also strong ties with the U.S. Although Washington has at times encouraged dialogue with Moscow over the war in Ukraine, it has also demonstrated its ability to pursue an independent agenda in the South Caucasus, often at odds with Russia’s core interests. The TRIPP agreement is one example of this approach. It angered Moscow because the deal reduced Russian influence and encouraged both Azerbaijan and Armenia to follow Washington’s lead. For Baku, therefore, greater U.S. involvement in the region translates into reduced dependence on Moscow," according to the Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst, an online journal of the Washington- and Stockholm-based Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program Joint Center.

By Azerbaijani-Israeli Alliance Global News